Gallery

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Opportunity Knocks - Mixed Media Canvas

Hi Everyone!

Knock! Knock! Whose there? Opportunity. Wouldn’t it be nice, if great things
came our way easily. The sad truth is that they don’t and we have to work
really hard at making things happen. And there are times that despite trying hard,
blood, sweat and tears we come up short again and again. Yes, this is
demoralizing and upsetting. You can do two things, retreat or make something
happen using a new game plan and instead of working within an established perceived
parameters or establishment, we look outside them and create our own
opportunities.

How it’s made

I started with an 11x14 canvas. The entire piece is made
out Dusty Attic chipboard shapes that have been altered and painted. The
background, case you can’t tell, is supposed to be a house’s outside wall. The background is painted using several
colors; orange, burnt sienna, brown, white, yellow and a tinge of red, I wanted
this Tuscany Villa type color. The bricks is made from chipboard, Dusty Attic brand; they were painted with
red, brown and white. The grout in between the brick is Modeling Paste. I
used a palette knife like a trowel to smooth out the Modeling Paste between the
bricks. The door did not come with a door knob, so I had to make my own out of
polymer clay. The door’s wrought iron bars and door knob have been painted with
brown, burnt sienna acrylic paint and bronze pearl powder. The pearl powder gives this aged
and distressed look. The door was painted in green and white gesso. For the door, bricks and
background I applied used a dry brush technique using gesso. I think it gives this aged
distressed look.

So remember, if opportunity does not knock, build a door and
paint it whatever color you want…